House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 1993, with 66% of the vote.
Railways February 10th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question.
This week, I had the opportunity to meet the executive officers of Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Railways and, as my hon. friend surely knows, they have already indicated that they plan to propose a merger project to the Canadian government. We have received no proposal yet. We are still waiting for such a proposal and when it comes, in due time, we will make a decision.
Social Security System February 3rd, 1994
I wanted to put a question to the hon. member. I listened to her speech; she talked about the deficit and Canada's financial problem. I simply wanted to ask her if she had discussed these issues with her colleagues since they have a certain experience with those problems which certainly existed prior to October 25.
I was wondering for example if the hon. member had talked to the member for Saint-Hubert, the members for Richelieu, Longueuil and Rosemont and most of all, the member for Lac-Saint-Jean because these people have a vast experience and were part of the government at a time when all those problems were very obvious for all Canadian taxpayers.
Quebec City Airport February 1st, 1994
Mr. Speaker, in his first question, the hon. member asked if this was the primary criteria. I can tell him that it was not. What I said to the hon. member is that we want to ensure that people can get those services in both official languages, and we also want to ensure everyone's safety. I sincerely regret that the hon. member does not seem to believe that the service provided in Montreal can be as good as the one in Quebec City.
Quebec City Airport February 1st, 1994
Mr. Speaker, what I said last week in the House was that the criteria which will be established to make decisions regarding the Quebec City airport are similar to those which will apply elsewhere. I can assure the hon. member that the basic criteria relate to safety and the provision of services in one's preferred official language. This is what we intend to look for when we review this case and any other one.
Quebec City Airport January 28th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, we are now in the process of reviewing the country's entire air traffic control system. I can assure my hon. colleague that the same criteria will be applied, whether it be in Quebec City, Calgary, Moncton or Vancouver.
Quebec City Airport January 28th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, the question raised by my hon. colleague obviously relates mainly to security and the ability to be understood in one's own language.
Let me assure the hon. member that these two criteria will always be met in so far as the service at the Quebec City airport is concerned.
Pearson International Airport January 27th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, in view of the comments of the hon. member alleging, as I understood them, that there would be anything that would put in question the ethics of Robert Wright is totally unacceptable to me. This man has an impeccable reputation.
As it happens, and the. hon. member will learn this as he spends some time in the House, the Prime Minister has many friends in this country.
Pearson International Airport January 27th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I am astounded the hon. member would not understand that the cancellation of Pearson airport and the negotiations that have been undertaken to deal with the compensation would be led by such an experienced lawyer as the one I as Minister of Transport appointed.
Mr. Wright is a former chairman of the Ontario Securities Commission and an outstanding legal mind. I am sure the entire question of compensation arising from the cancellation of Pearson will be addressed in his usual professional, very thorough and competent manner.
Air Canada January 27th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleagues on all sides of the House for the unanimous consent granted in order that I may make this announcement.
I am announcing that, as Minister of Transport, I intend to designate Air Canada as the second carrier to Japan following completion of negotiations with the Japanese government. Under the current Air Services Agreement between Canada and Japan, Canada has the authority to designate more than one carrier to serve that country. We have advised the Japanese government that we want to resume air negotiations as soon as possible.
On September 1, 1994, a new airport is to open in Osaka, Japan's largest air transport market after Tokyo, of course. With a population of over 20 million, the Osaka region offers important opportunities for Canadian carriers in the Asian market.
A number of desirable landing and takeoff slots at Kansai Airport have been provisionally reserved for Canada. The federal government must now move quickly to finalize the details of an agreement to use these valuable slots.
The Japanese air transport market is large and profitable. It is in Canada's best interest that our two major carriers have a presence there. Canadian Airlines International will continue to have exclusive access to the largest Japanese centre, Tokyo.
Air Canada stated yesterday its clear and unequivocal undertaking that all litigation that prevents Canadian Airlines from closing its deal with AMR Corporation will be stopped immediately. Air Canada's announcement yesterday was an important one for restoring stability in the airline industry.
I understand that today's decision is a difficult one to accept for Canadian Airlines. However, I am looking forward to a new era for the airline industry in Canada.
Our government is committed to a viable, competitive airline industry. Canada's two great airlines can now get on with their business. They are in a position to move forward with confidence into the future.
I could not let this occasion pass without expressing my sincerest gratitude to Rhys Eyton of Canadian Airlines and to Hollis Harris of Air Canada for having been able to move with great courage toward this resolution of a problem that has plagued the Canadian airline industry for far too long.
Mil Davie Shipyard January 26th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, it is of course very difficult to explain any delay in making a decision. It is true that we have only been in power now for two months and a half. The leader of the opposition was sitting on this side of the House for several years, yet no decision was taken.
I can assure the hon. member that the decision will be made soon.